Yoav - The General and the Wise Women

by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach zt'l

Yoav was the commander-in-chief of King Davids army and a clever diplomat as well. On two occasions he utilized the services of wise women to achieve his goals.

The first occasion was when he effected a reconciliation between David and his son Avshalom. The latter had fled after murdering his half-brother Amnon to avenge his sexual exploitation of his sister Tamar. Yoav sent a wise woman from Tekoah to David with a fabricated tale designed to convince him to allow Avshalom to return.

The second occasion was when Yoavs forces surrounded the city of Aveiloh Bet Maacha in which the rebellious Sheva ben Bichri had taken refuge. It was a wise woman in that city who negotiated with Yoav and convinced her townsmen to accept his terms and deliver the head of the rebel and save their city.

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